Obituary

Dr. Harmon Fredric Adams
Harmon Fredric Adams passed away peacefully at his Bainbridge Island home on March 1, 2008 after a cruel yet short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Harmon was born at home in Syracuse, NY on May 27, 1936. He was the first child of Frederick George Adams and Esther Harmon Adams and was named after his two grandfathers. Harmon's family moved to Los Angeles in the winter of 1945. There he was introduced to thoroughbred horse racing through regular excursions to the Del Mar and Santa Anita racetracks, starting a life-long passion for horse racing.

The family moved to Seattle in 1948 where Harmon graduated from Highline High School in 1954. He entered the University of Washington, working his way through school. While studying, he met and married Patricia Jean Benson in 1958. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1960. US Air Force Captain Harmon Adams spent the following two years practicing dentistry at Hill AFB, Ogden, Utah.

Harmon and Pat moved to Bainbridge Island, WA in 1962 and he established his dental practice there. In 1974, he began teaching at the University of Washington, School of Dentistry. For ten years, he taught restorative dentistry and directed student clinical activities. During this period, he was named outstanding instructor and became well-published on numerous research topics. He was a founding member and long-time mentor of the Yakima Valley Crown and Bridge Study Group for dentists.

In the mid-1980's, He returned to a full-time dental practice on Bainbridge, later practicing with his son Todd Harmon Adams, also a graduate of the UW Dental School. Harmon practiced, on a limited basis, until his cancer diagnosis in December of 2007.

Harmon was an avid philanthropist, supporting numerous local programs and charities. He chaired the St. Cecilia Church Finance Council, credited with "burning the mortgage" following the Bainbridge church's last major renovation. He was a board member of the Bainbridge Island Park and Recreation District, BI Swim Club, a BI Little League baseball coach and a long-time member of Rotary Club of BI.

Harmon adored his family, friends and countless patients who honored him with their patronage during the past five decades. He was noted for his exacting dental standards and thorough approach to all he treated and called "friends."

Also an artist with many passions, Harmon enjoyed painting, creating mosaics, woodcarving, woodworking, photography and gold, silver and bronze sculpture. His hobbies also included fly-tying, skiing, hiking, gardening, travel and horse racing; but, his favorite was fishing with the boys.

Harmon was predeceased by his parents, Frederick and Esther, and youngest brother Tom Adams. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Patricia; Sisters Judy Corcoran (Brian) of Ukiah, CA, Dale Dhoore (James) of York, ME and Susan Vaughan (Ted) of Lake Lure, NC; Brother John Adams of Newfield, NY; Sons: Michael (Mary) of Bainbridge Island, Jeff (Karn) of Grand Rapids, MI and Todd Harmon Adams (Yaroslavna) also of Bainbridge Island. Harmon also enjoyed his loving grandchildren Jeremy Young (24), Jane (15), Peter (12), Quincy Harmon (6) and Nora Adams (4) as well as his special niece and nephews.

Harmon was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church on Bainbridge Island for 46 years. Fitting for Harmon, his final message to his family was "I love you." His final resting place is with his parents Fred and Esther at Seabold Cemetery on Bainbridge Island under a majestic douglas fir tree.